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Table 5 Adjusted odd ratios (OR) of respiratory and skin symptoms and asthma in relation to the level of microfiber exposure and exposure to sensitizing chemicals

From: Respiratory and skin health among glass microfiber production workers: a cross-sectional study

 

Low MF level*

N = 38

High MF level*

N = 64

Exposure to any sensitizer†

N = 19

Symptom/Disease

Adjusted OR‡

95% CI

Adjusted OR‡

95% CI

Adjusted OR‡

95% CI

Cough

1.72

0.61–4.88

2.34

0.87–6.31

3.43

1.20–9.87

Phlegm

0.55

0.20–1.52

1.08

0.42–2.76

0.61

0.19–1.92

Wheezing

2.38

0.58–9.79

2.00

0.46–8.70

1.28

0.30–5.50

Breathlessness

3.94

1.33–11.71

5.08

1.69–15.23

2.84

0.99–8.12

Nasal

2.01

0.74–5.44

2.25

0.84–6.00

3.07

1.05–9.00

Eye

0.73

0.26–2.02

1.11

0.44–2.83

0.91

0.30–2.78

Skin

2.99

1.13–7.91

4.82

1.89–12.33

1.95

0.65–5.80

Asthma ever

3.48

0.18–66.84

3.52

0.21–58.07

1.41

0.12–16.38

  1. *Office workers formed the reference category (OR = 1)
  2. †Compared to office workers and factory workers with no exposure to sensitizers (OR = 1 in this reference category)
  3. ‡Adjusted for sex, age, education, smoking, and exposure to SHS at work and/or at home
  4. MF = glass microfiber exposure
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Environmental Health

ISSN: 1476-069X